Saturday, February 1, 2014

Knitting 101 - February Slip-Stitch

Yes, slipping a stitch on purpose is a "design element". No, not when you do it by accident. It's the next step in knitting after you master that K/P thing. And it's beautiful on its own or with other stitches!

Slipping a stitch is very easy, and it's a gateway to scads of interesting and pretty knitting. Cables, lace, some button holes, trellis stitches and many more have you slip a stitch at some point. Let's get started.

Here's how: Cast on 31 stitches. The odd number is important here, so make sure. Now knit across one row. Purl across the next row.

On the next row - Knit 1 stitch. Slip one stitch from the holding needle to the working needle by sticking the tip of the needle into the stitch as if to knit, but then don't knit the stitch. Slip it onto the working needle. This is called Slip 1 Knitwise. It's abbreviated Sl1k. K3.

There is another version of the slip stitch, and it's just as easy. Stick the working needle into the stitch as if to purl, and slip it onto the working needle. This is called Slip 1 Purlwise. It's abbreviated Sl1p. K3.

Complete the row by sl1k, k3, sl1p, to the last stitch. K last stitch.

Purl the next row.

1. K1, (sl1k, k3, sl1p, k3) across, k1.
2. Purl across.

Repeat these 2 rows for at least 4 inches. You can see there is a subtle but distinct difference between the two types of slipped stitches. Pretty, eh? You can finish the swatch to any size you like. When a slip stitch pattern does not indicate weather to slip knitwise or purlwise, always slip knitwise.

We'll work some other basic slip stitch patterns this month. You'll be delighted what interesting patterns you'll make!